The UCL Global Masters Scholarship gives up to 85 international students from lower-income backgrounds £15,000 towards a full-time Master's at UCL. It is awarded on financial need (not grades), covers every postgraduate taught programme, and is accessed through a single International Master's Awards application in UCL's Portico system.
Why it is notable: One application covers multiple UCL international Master's awards — but you must submit a SEPARATE scholarship form for EACH Master's programme you apply for funding for. And the trap: you cannot even open the scholarship form until UCL Admissions has confirmed your fee status — so apply for admission well before the scholarship deadline, or the form stays locked.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
£15,000 bursary, applied first to the recipient's tuition fees
Any remainder after fees: paid to the recipient in three equal instalments throughout the academic year, towards maintenance
For two-year full-time programmes: 50% paid in each year
May be held alongside other scholarships/studentships/awards depending on the total value of other funds received (must be declared to the Student Funding Office)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This scholarship is offered for full-time Master's (postgraduate taught) programmes at UCL. Distance-learning options are not eligible.
Who can apply
Candidates from any country outside the UK, eligible to pay the Overseas fee rate. IMPORTANT official note: under UK legislation, citizens of Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan are unable to obtain a UK Study Visa from 26 March 2026 — check the UK Government website for the latest position.
Experience
No experience required — award is on financial need.
Language Certificate
Course-dependent — meet the English-language requirements of the chosen UCL Master's programme.
Other Certificates
Complete admission application including references, submitted before the scholarship deadline.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All countries outside the UK eligible, provided the applicant pays the Overseas fee rate. Official caveat: Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan citizens face…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
Bachelor's degree meeting the entry requirements of the chosen UCL Master's programme.
02
Documents
Complete admission application (with references) submitted BEFORE the scholarship deadline; fee status confirmed.
03
Language
Course-dependent English-language requirements.
04
Essays/answers
Scholarship application via Portico; financial-need evidence if shortlisted.
05
References
References must be submitted with the admission application.
06
Fee
No separate scholarship fee; standard UCL admissions fees apply where charged.
Document checklist
01Complete UCL admission application (including submission of references)
02Scholarship application form via Portico (one per programme)
03Evidence of financial need (only if shortlisted)
Application fee
No separate scholarship fee. UCL graduate application fees (if any) follow UCL's standard admissions rules — check the p
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: UK Student visa.
Application Procedure
7 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Submit a complete admission application for a
full-time UCL Master's (including references) — well BEFORE the scholarship deadline; allow up to 24 hours for processing. Note: fee status must be confirmed by UCL Admissions before you can access the scholarship form.
→
02
Log in to Portico → 'View' your
Active Application → 'Funding' menu → 'Check and apply' → click the UCL Global Masters Scholarship name.
→
03
Submit a SEPARATE scholarship application for EACH
Master's programme you are seeking funding for.
↓
06
Scholarship application form via Portico (one per
programme)
←
05
Complete UCL admission application (including submission of
references)
←
04
Shortlisted candidates are contacted (mid-May in prior
cycles) to provide evidence of financial need; successful candidates are typically informed by late June.
↓
07
Evidence of financial need (only if shortlisted)
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official University College London platform.
Do I need an admission offer before applying for the scholarship?
No — you do not need an offer, but you must have submitted a complete admission application (including references) AND have your fee status confirmed by UCL Admissions before you can access the scholarship form.
Which programmes are eligible?
All postgraduate taught (Master's) programmes — full-time, in-person. Distance-learning options are not eligible.
Who is it for?
Prospective students from any country outside the UK who pay the Overseas fee rate and come from a lower-income background.
How is it awarded?
On the basis of financial need, upon the recommendation of the UCL Student Funding Office.
Can I hold it with other funding?
It may be held alongside other scholarships/studentships/awards depending on total value — you must inform the Student Funding Office of any other funding.
I am applying to two UCL Master's programmes. Do I apply once?
No — you must submit a separate scholarship application for each Master's programme you want funding for.
When will I hear the result?
Prior cycles: shortlisted candidates contacted mid-May for financial-need evidence; successful candidates typically informed by late June (2027 dates TBC).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
United Kingdom · University College London